James DeShon obituary 121812 Tulelake CA

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James Bernard DeShon

James Bernard DeShon passed away in Klamath Falls on Dec. 18, 2012, at the age of 85.

A public funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 21, in O’Hair Funeral Chapel. A private interment will be at Mt. Laki Cemetery.

James was born on July 30, 1927, and grew up in Corcoran, Calif.

He enlisted in the Navy in June 1945 and served as a seaman second class, V-6. He served as a diver doing ship repair and salvage work.

With the end of World War II, he won a 1949 homestead in Tulelake, Calif. In collaboration with neighboring homesteaders, he cleared the land and began growing wheat and potatoes. Along with four friends, he began to successfully grow horseradish roots in the 1950s. He was president of the Tulelake Horseradish Association for many years. He was a successful and respected farmer, retiring in 2005 at the age of 76.

Jim’s first wife was Barbara, who passed away in 1951. He married Betty on Aug. 1, 1952 , in Sausalito, Calif., and brought her to the farm in Tulelake as his new bride. Together, they built a successful 60-year marriage, enjoying travel, golf, good restaurants, and their German Shepherd dogs. Jim talked fondly of their river trip down the Rhine from Budapest to Amsterdam and their trip to Mexico. They also enjoyed trips to Las Vegas, Reno and the Oregon Coast.

Two of Jim’s passions were golf and spending time in Hawaii. He was a member of Reames Golf & Country Club. Jim and Betty spent many winters in Kailua, Hawaii, with Jim fishing, golfing, swimming, and enjoying their favorite restaurants. Over the last few years, Jim has valued his friendships with friends at Pappy Gander in Merrill. Jim and Betty fondly made Nibbley’s Restaurant in Klamath Falls their second home.

Jim was a Master Mason in the Tulelake lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons of California. He served on the school board for Newell Elementary School, the Newell Grain Growers board of directors and was a board member for the Tulelake Volunteer Firemen.

He is survived by his wife Betty DeShon, son Ron DeShon, daughter Karen DeShon Hamlin, grandsons Adam and Christopher DeShon, and his niece and nephew Marjorie DeShon and James DeShon.

Jim DeShon was a strong, independent, generous, happy, and optimistic man who saw everyone as a friend and always had time to listen to others. He looked for and supported the best characteristics in all of those around him. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends, who will hold him close in their hearts.

Contributions in memory of Jim DeShon can be made to Sky Lakes Cancer Treatment Center, 2610 Uhrmann Road, Klamath Falls, OR 97601, or the charity of your choice.

Please sign the online guest book at www.heraldandnews.com/obituaries .

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